Timer



TIMER Filed Sept. 15, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 C g4, 52a ITN/enfer' .se 35joma ,f Corbez Z5 Il su l I l Nov. 9, 1954 T. H. coRBErT TIMER 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. l5, 1952 Nov. 9, 1954 1'. H. coRBETT2,693,852

TIMER Filed Sept. 15, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent Office2,693,852 Patented Nov. 9, 1954 TIMER Thomas H. Corbett, Chicago, Ill.Application September 15, 1952, Serial No. 309,609 Claims. (Cl. 161 7)This invention relates to timing control'means, and particularly to anautomatically timed rinsing means for machines such as commercial dishor glass washers.

In commercial restaurant operation it is quite common to use glasswashing apparatus wherein rotating scrubbing drums operating in acleansing solution are utilized to scrub the inside and outside of eachglass, and after such cleansing operation, the glasses are placed inwire racks or baskets and are transferred into a rinsing compartment ofthe machine where a rinsing operation with hot water is performed. Oneform of scrubbing drum utilized in such machines is disclosed in VincentW. Cunningham Patent No. 2,153,238, patented April 4, 1939, but it willbe recognized insofar as the present invention is concerned, other formsof scrubbing or washing apparatus may be utilized.

The above mentioned rinsing operation is considered to be important notonly in removing the cleansing solution from the glass but also from thestandpoint of the sterilizing effect that may be obtained by maintainingthe rinsing water at a predetermined high temperature and continuing therinsing operation for a pre-determined minimum period. This sterilizingaction has been considered so important in recent years that under manyof the public health codes in force in various cities and States, aminimum water temperature and a minimum rinse period have beenestablished.

In an effort to simplify the matter of compliance with such publichealth codes, manufacturers of glass and dish washing equipment haveembodied automatically controlled means for governing the rinse period,and it is with this aspect of the glass washing machine that the presentinvention is concerned. In the prior efforts to automatically controlthe rinse period, various expedients have been employed, but suchexpedients have almost universally been considered to be too costly, orhave been ditcult to repair and maintain. In view of this, it is theprimary object of the present invention to simplify the attainment of anautomatically controlled or timed rinse period in glass washing machinesof the aforesaid type, and objects related to foregoingare to attain atimed rinse in such a machine through the use of mechanism that issimple and inexpensive in character and which may be repaired orreplaced in a simple manner.

A further and important object of the present invena tion is to affordsuch a timed rinse structure for glass washing machines wherein thetiming action is obtained by hydraulic means, and a further object is toattain this end through the use of a hydraulic unit that may readily bereplaced without moving the glass washer and without disassembly of anyof the major elements of the glass washer,

In the prior mechanisms for attaining a timed rinse in glass washers, ithas been customary to employ electrical means which required theservices of electrical workers not only in the assembly but in anyrepair or replacement, and these prior devices were somewhat diilicultof installation because of the necessity for establishing electricalconnections to the electrically operated elements, and in such priordevices the various electrical and electrically operated elements weredisposed about and within the cabinet in such a way to make assembly andrepair relatively difficult. In view of this it is a further object ofthe present invention to aiord an automatic rinse controlling and timingmechanism that is constructed as a unit'which may readily be installedon a glass washer cabinet and which may be readily connected with therelated parts or elements of the apparatus, and objects related to theforegoing are to afford such a unit wherein a control valve, a strainerand a vacuum breaker required in such glass washing machines may beassociated as a unit at a single location on the glass washer cabinet,thereby to facilitate assembly, and to provide a manifold which, whenmounted in place on the cabinet, will readily permit the installation,removal or replacement of the strainer, the vacuum breaker and ahydraulic timing unit embodying the features of the invention.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following description and claims and are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show a preferredembodiment of the present invention and the principley thereof and whatI now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applyingthese principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the sameor equi valent principles may be used and structural changes may be madeas desired by those skilled in the art without departing from thepresent invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig, l has top front perspective view of a glass washer embodying thetimed rinse mechanism of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmental vertical sectional View taken substantially alongthe line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the timing unitand the related strainer and vacuum breaker elements, the view beingtaken at an enlarged scale from the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4, 5 and l6 are schematic vertical sectional views taken throughthe timing and the valve mechanism and showing this apparatus indifferent positions which are assumed in the cycle of operation of thetimer; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

For purposes of disclosure the invention is herein illustrated asembodied in glass washer 20 having a floor mounted cabinet C within theupper side of which a multiple compartment sink structure is mountedwhich affords a washing compartment 21, a iiushing compartment 22 and arinsing compartment 23. The washing compartment 21 is located along theforward side of the cabinet and extends substantially one-half way tothe rear side of the cabinet, the flushing compartment occupying theremainder of the space between the washing compartment and the rear wallof the structure. The rinsing compartment 23 occupies the right hand endportion of the sink structure and extends entirely between the front andrear walls of the sink structure. It will be noted that the divisionwall between the rinsing compartment and the other two compartments islocated substantially midway between the end walls of the cabinet, andthis enables a sliding cover 24 to be positioned selectively over therinsing compartment 23, or over the other two comparements. Thisconventional cover structure and relationship is utilized infacilitating the handling of the glasses and the trays or baskets inwhich such glasses are placed for convenience of handling after washing.

The washing compartment 21 has a pair of glass Washing drums 25 mountedtherein on vertical axes in substantially the manner disclosed in theaforesaid Cunningham patent, and these glass washing drums 25 arearranged to operate in a submerged condition, the cleansing solutionbeing provided in the compartment 21 so as to be above the upper levelof these drums. The flushing compartment 22 has a removable perforatedpan ZZP mounted therein, and a pair of ush ing nozzles 22F are extendedthrough the bottom of this pan so that glasses that are unusually dirtymay be flushed before being washed in the constantly rotating scrubbingdrums 25. During the Washing operation, the cover 24 is located, in itsright hand position over the rinsing compartment 23, so that a rinsingoperation may be in progress during such washing of further glasses, anda basket is normally located at top of the cover 24 so that the glassesmay be placed inrsuch" basket l'accordingrto 'conventional' Ypracticeafter the washing has been completed. The cover 24 1s then slid to theleft so as'to disclose the interior of the rinsing :compartment 23,andpany.' glasses containedthereinrare; removed.. The' vloaded-.trayof-the newly' washed: glasses isthen. loaded .-int'o. the' 'rinsing'compartmenton toxa. pair of. supportingl-rods' that"are='spacedlupwardly from' the bottomf'wall: of'therinsing come' partment.: Thenewly washedbasket.ofi'glasses'isthen' impositionv for theperformancezoi the. rinsing 'operation, and. after closure of thef cover24, this' is accompli'shed'by a conventional' rotating rinsingarm`27.104

cated "in lthe-,bottom of. the Arinsing.'compartment.23 be.V

low'the level-of the' rods 265` and'by an: upper.` stationary' spray 28that projects through the. bacl .wallof= thevrinsingfcompartment"adjacent tothe upper edge' thereof. The rinsing'operationi is initiated and. automatically timed and' controlled' by` a.timing unit '30, embodying the featureszof the present inventiom'andilocatedon an= unit. 30 y'under the present invention.' is `sovconstructed andarranged that a common' mounting' castingSS permanentlyiixed to the lower face of the shelf 31 in the space=between the wall's23R and 32serves'as amounting for accessibly supporting andoperativelyassociating those elements lof 'the control unit 30 to which access mustbe had from time to time. Such' elements comprise a removablestrainer'38.' a replaceable valve unit 39, a hydraulic timer and controlmechanism 40, a Vacuum'l breaker 41 and the nozzle 28. The'casting 3S is.elongated in form'and has horizontal-flanges 35i?` and a-. web portionW forming a-generally ilat upper surface 35S-that tits against the lowerface of the ledge l31V and is secured Vthereby by a'plurality'ot" screws42 extended through the ledgev 31 and threaded -into thecasting'35, andat spaced points along such upper surface 35S upwardly extendingmounting or connectingmeans project throughappropriate openings in theshelf or ledge 31 for connection or mounting of the strainer 38, thevalve unit 39 and lthevacuum break4l, as will be described hereinafter.

Thus, at the lettV end of 'the casting 35S, as shown in Fig. 3, anupwardly extended sleeve 45 is formed which affords an upwardcontinuation of avertical chamber 46'thati is formed in the casting 35.'This chamber 46' terminates at its lower end/in anupwardly facinggan-Anularfshoulder 46S, and beyond 'this shoulder an inlet' passage47-extends downwardly through a connecting nipple: 48 which: projects'from'the 'bottom' of t:the cast-l ingr35. At' its upper end` the sleeve.45A is internally threaded so thatl the cap 38C of the strainerunit 38imay'be removably' mounted as a closure for the upper end of the chamber46. The strainer' comprises a cyline drical4 screen 38A, the lower endoffwhich is seated on'. the' shoulder' 46S. At its' upper end 'thescreen 38A' is? seated' in aY generally spherical recess 38B` fo'rmedinthe strainer cap 38C. Water enteringthe inlet 47' and passing throughthe strainer 38'passes to the right yfrom the chamber 46 through ahorizontal passage 49 intoaf lower 'valve' chamber Silfwhichvis'tlocated beneath an upper'valve chamber 51, andthese two chambersare' divided by' any annular locating 'ledge-or` shoulder '52.' At'=itsupper'endthe chamber'f'is'dened by an'upwardly'projecting 'nipple 53which serves as 'a' mounting means-for the valve unit`139`;andl'this-*valve unit' exv tendsldownwardlyinto' the chambers- 5I 1 and.50' and cooperates with the shoulder. 52'so as to control fl'ow'of waterfrom'the'lower' chamber' 50'to the 'upper cham. ber 5I as -will` bedescribedin'detail"hereinafter.-

Water" that' passes th'e valve' intot'thexupper. charnber 51" thenowgtozthehright, Fig.v 3,' through la horizontal-'passagee54and'ithen'upwardly through' an .upwardly-'projecting externally-threadedlnipple'iS: This npple-55 constitutesone' element of :the 'mounting' forthea-'vacuum' breaker' 41'; anda the'other' mountingjelementfisfairdedby'a simil'aVnipple'SG locatedinear e' the right hand end of the casting35 as shown in Fig. 3; Thef'nipple 56v opens' downwardly" into' a.'distribut ing or outlet chamber 57,cformed in the casting 35, the lowerend of such chamber S7 terminating in a downwardly projecting nipple 58through which connection with the rotating spray structure 27 may beestablished in the usual manner. The outlet chamber 57 also has aforward extension -59 into which the nozzle 28 is threaded sothat.the...nozzle 28 also receives water from the chamber' 571' Thenozzle 28 has a flange 28F which clamps thewall. 23R against the annularend ot' the member' S9.' As shown in Fig. 2, the casting35'.' has arearward projection 59K'. similar tothe element 59, this element 59Kbeing cast solid and affording means whereby thecasting may be readilyused for either right or left hand mounting.

The vacuum breaker 41 is of conventional form and has its inletconnected by a tting 62 to the upper end. of fan 'inletpipe 63,5 the'lowerv end of which is connected bya tting'64'to'the1nipp'le' 55;Theoutlet of the vacuumv breaker's41 is 'connected by anI elbow- 65 and.a tting.' 66 to. therupper.' end-:of a -pipe- 67, the lower end' of.which` isconnected: by' a -iittingf68'f`to 'the nipple' 56.

The. valve assemblyk 39 is` conventional in structure and .includes avmounting 'cap 70 with a` downwardly extended: internally'l screw.'threaded annular flange '7011" andan upwardly extended concentricexternally threadedy nipple-N. The'nipplef70N-has -aninternal or'axialborez70Bitherein.'which terminates 'in al lower annularshoulder. 70S,Fig. 5, and a valver'stem 71 is slidably extended through-the bore 70Bt1The steml 7l has 'an 1upper head 71H whichI overlies the-bore 70B, andan expansive coil? spring '72"v surrounds the stem within. the bore'andacts'againstthe lower-face of'the head' 71H. The 'lower end 'ofl thespring 72"acts' on aI packing'washerr73 to press packing' material' 74against' the-.shoulder or ilange 70S. Y

The valve stem 71 extends-downwardly through a` hollowI sleeve 75 which'abuts at its upper end against theA lower surface of thefcap170; withinand in inwardly spaced. relation toA ther internally threaded flange'70E. Near its lower end Vthe sleeve 75 has an inward-` 1y directed"annular guiding ange ISF which guides the stern 71, and belowthis'ilange -751-T the stem has an upwardly extended axial bore 76 fromwhich' a plurality' of radial bores orvalve passages 77" extend.Against: the lower endv of the sleeve 7'5: a stationarymetal`valve'-seat 78l'is'positioned', this seat having a circularcentral opening' 78P that is of larger diameter than thestem- 71' so 'asto'aiiord an'annular valve passage'` about the stem'. This 'annular'valve passage'constitutes thevalve postandfis controlled; by a Valvewasher' 80"xed on the lower end of the valve stem. 711by1rneansincluding a retainer 81 anda nut 82. threaded: onto the lower end ofthe' valve stem 71. Thevalve 39 is 'mounted by: inserting the valve'downwardly' into the chamber 51 and tightening the threadedflangeh70F'onto'the nipple 53, and this firmly presses the seat 78i ontothe flangeV or seat 52 of the casting` 35. Thus 'the valve member 80,which is' urged normally' to its 'seated or closed relation by thespring 72,. serves to govern ow from the chamber 50 to the chamber '51,vand the valve. may be opened by downward actuation of' the valve stem71.

The hydraulic timing ,and control unitv 40 is best.

shown in Figs. 3. and. 4 of the drawingsV and fis aiorded by a sectionalcylindrical casinghavinga. lower sectionv S5, an upper section 86, acover-87 and-.an operating handle 88 that has rounded actuatinghead 88Hand a downwardly projectingv stern 88S that .extends slidably downwardlythrough'the cover 87.

The lower section of the casting: is cylindrical in form. with arelatively heavy lower wall SSL and a rel-A atively thin upwardlyextending side wall 85W. The lower wall SSL has a downwardly extendingmounting sleeve 89 formed thereon which. is kconcentriewith the wall,85W and which is internally threaded so. that. the section 85 may' bemounted on the nipple 70N .in axial alignment with the valvev 39 andwith the head 71H of `the valve stem located within a clearance chamber89C that is afforded within the sleeve 89, This clearance chamberprovides for the. required. up and down.

movement of the head.71H.

The lower section 85"also has an opstanding central guide sleeve 85Sformed therein and affording an axial guide passage SSP that extendsdownwardly through the wall SSL and opens into the chamber 89C, and thisguide passage serves to receive and guide a valve actuating stem 90 thatis slidably disposed within the passage SSP. The guide sleeve 85Sextends upwardly to a level somewhat above the upper edge of the outerwall 85W, and the upper end of the valve actuating stem 90 is arrangedto project upwardly beyond the upper end of the sleeve 85S for adistance sufficient to permit downward valve-actuating movement of thestem 90, and in such valve actuating movement the st em .90 is movedfrom a position of Fig. 4 to the pos1t1on of Fig. 5.

The valve actuating stem 90 may be locked in its lower or valve-openingposition by locking means that are arranged in the present embodiment toact between the guide sleeve 85S and the stem 90. In the form hereinshown, such latching or locking means are afforded by a plurality oflocking balls 92 thaty are disposed in a plurality of apertures 93 thatare extended radially through the sleeve 85S near the upper end thereof.These balls 92 are arranged to move inwardly within the apertures 93from the released positlon shown in Fig. 4 to the locking position shownin Fig. 5 when the valve actuating stem 90 is actuated to its lower orvalve-opening position, and when the locking balls 92 thus move to theirinward positions, they engage an annular locking groove 94 that isformed in the stern 90. When the locking balls 92 thus assume theirlocking positions, they are latched in this relationship by a latchingsleeve 95 which slidably surrounds the upper end of the sleeve 85S asshown in Figs. 4 and 5. The latching sleeve 95 is of course urgedyieldingly downwardly by gravity and tends in its downward movement toforce the balls 92 to their inner or locking positions. Thus, it will benoted that the sleeve 95 at its lower end has a relatively largeinternal annular surface 95L and above this surface an inwardly slopingcam surface 95S is formed. Thus, when the latching sleeve 95 is in itsupper position, the surface 95L is opposite the location and lockingballs 92, thus to allow these locking balls to move outwardly to thereleased position shown in Fig. 4, and the locking balls in thisposition are inetective. In causing the outward shifting movement of thelocking balls 92, the concave character of the groove 94 acts to impartthe desired outward forces due to the upward urging of the stem 90 bythe Valve spring '72. As a matter of convenience, the upward movement ofthe latching sleeve 95 is limited by a C-washer 96.

With the structure thus described, the valve 39`may be opened bydownward actuation of the operating stem 90 and the locking balls 92become automatically eiective to lock the stem 90 in its valve-openingposition. ln order to release the locking balls 92 and permit closure ofthe valve 39, it is necessary to raise the latching sleeve 95 from itslower effective position shown in Fig. 5 to its upper released positionshown in Fig. 4, and this is accomplished by hydraulic timing meansincluded within the lower section 85 of the timing and control unit 40.

The outer wall 85W and the central sleeve 85S serve to aord a liquidchamber 85C within the section 85, and this chamber of course is annularin character. Within such chamber an annular iioat 100 is mounted in aslidable relation about the central sleeve 85S, and this oat is buoyedup by a body of liquid 101 that is contained within the chamber 85C. Inthe present instance, the float 100 is made from metal and the requisitebuoyance is afforded by using a heavy liquid. Preferably this heavyliquid is alforded by a body of mercury that has a small proportion of alubricating liquid such as the liquid originally used in hydraulic brakesystems. Lubricating liquid such as hydraulic brake tiuid acts as aninhibitor to prevent or minimize corrosion or tarnishing of the mercury.ln addition to the buoyant action of the liquid 101, additionalresilient upward forces are applied to the lioat 100 by a relativelylight coil spring 102 that surrounds the sleeve 85S and acts between thelower wall SSL and the bottom of the float 100. The spring 102 isutilized merely to induce faster return of the float to its floatingposition, and the spring therefore is of limited length and strength soas to be effective only in initiating the return or upward movement ofthe loat.

The oat 100 may be termed cup-like in form in that an annular recess100K is extended downwardly from the upper face of the float, thus toprovide an outer wall 100W and an inner wall or sleeve 100s. `The recess100K thus affords a space within which liquid 101 may be placed so as toreduce or vary the buoyance of the `iioat, and a timing action isattained by allowing any liquid within the recess or cup 10011'` to iiowgradually out of the cup at a controlled rate through a dischargeopening or orifice 102 that is formed through the wall 100W at the levelof the lower wall of the recess 100R. The normal level of the liquid 101in the chamber 85C is such that the cup may be iilled by downwardactuation of the cup or oat 100 from its upper position of Fig. 4 to thelower position of Fig. 5, and this is accomplished by operation of thehandle 88 which not only actuates the iloat to its lower position, butalso operates the stern 90 to its lower or valve-opening position.

Thus, as shown best in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the upper housingsection 86 is formed for mounting as a closure on the upper end of thelower housing section 85, and the upper housing section 86 has arelatively thick lower wall 86L that is externally screw threaded at 86Xso that it may be threaded into the upper end of the section to anextent limited by a flange 86F on the wall 86L. The upper section 86 isdefined primarily by an upwardly extending and relatively thin wall 86Winto which a reduced flange 87F of the top wall 87 is extended andscrews 87S extended through wall 86W and into the ange 87F serve to holdthese parts in their assembled relationship.

The lower wall 86L has a central passage 86B and this passage isextended downwardly about the upper end of the sleeve 85S by an annulardownwardly projecting collar 86C, and as best shown in Fig. 4, thepassage 86B serves as a guide for a vertically slidable operating sleeve105. This operating sleeve 105 has a head 105H at its upper end and anexpansive coil spring 106 acts upwardly against this head to urge thesleeve 105 toward its upper posltion shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and in suchupward movement the head 1051-1 engages a lower retaining ilange SSF onthe stem 88S so that the handle 88 is also urged to its upper position.At its lower end the spring 106 acts against a packing ring 107 whichacts on packing 108 within an enlarged portion of the bore 86B to afforda liquid seal above the sleeve 105. Within the sleeve 105 and at thelower face of the head 105H, a hardened abutment pad 109 is mounted in acentral position so that when the actuating sleeve 105 approaches thelimit of its downward movement, the pad 109 engages the upper end of thestem to actuate the same to its valve-opening position. The relationshipis such that the lower end 10513` of the sleeve 105 engages the bottomof the cup 100k and moves the cup downwardly for a substantial distanceprior to the engagement of the pad 109 with the stem 90 so that the stem90 is actuated only during the iinal downward portion of the movement ofthe operating handle 88.

As the oat 100 is thus moved to its downward or lower position it iscompletely submerged within the body of liquid of 101, and the cup 100Ris thus completely illed with liquid as shown in Fig. 5. Then, uponrelease of the handle 88, the oat 100 rapidly shifts upwardly for ashort distance and to such a level that the upper edge of the cup isabove the level of the surrounding liquid 101. At this time of coursethe valve operating stem 90 remains in its lower or valve-openingposition due to the action of the locking of balls 92. As soon as thefloat 100 returns to the position wherein the upper edge of the cup 100Kis above the liquid level in the chamber 85C, flow of liquid commencesfrom the cup 100K through the metering orifice 102 so that upwardmovement of the ilow thereafter progresses at a controlled rate. Thisattains a timing action which has been found to be extremely accuratewhere it has been used to govern a rinse period a minimum length of l5seconds. As the upward movement of the oat progresses, the upper end ofthe sleeve 1008 approaches the lower end of the latching sleeve 95, andin the iinal portion of the upward movement of the float, the latchingsleeve is moved to its released position of Fig. 4. This releases theballs 92 and stem 90 returns to its upper: rpositionrz due s tot: the.valvefclosing .z action;r of the: spring 72.

It: should be pointed out that theoatf100- is made fromimetal,zaluminumbeing usedin the presentV instance, and .the floati is thus buoyed `up-vwith considerable force due to the extremely high-'specific gravity .ofthemercury thatvconstitutes-the ymajor portion' of theliquid in thechamber,l 85C. As. pointedl out= hereinabove, the liquid does'have .asmall. amount of alubricanti included: therein;` butthis addedVconstituenlwhich is ofy course-of low speciegr-avity, constitutes .butalvery minor proportionV so\that-. iti does not materiallychange .thespecific gravity of the-:liquid.materialzin` the :chamber 85C. Thelubricant. liquid also servesas afprotectingicovering over =theibody ofmercuryf.. and even when :thislighterliquidi attains .apositioniiof'rest on .top of the-body'ofrmercury, the levelofthe-.mercury is sufficiently high toi-buoy the float. 100' tof its.`upperposition in l :which .the latch: means. arel re leased...Thelubricatingxcornponent of the liquidr bodyk of,..eourse may becomemixed. with. the .mercury to .some degree in the course ofoperation-;of...the"timer, but', as hereinabove` Apointedy out,. this:does-not' materially.` alter the :eiective f buoyant action. of thebody" of. mercury,y

As herein disclosedthe-setting .means are such that:` the iloat; 10Gisrrst-.moved infaidownwarddirectiongiand the.control stem 90isthereafterr=shifted toits actuated position; but itshould' bet`pointed out that Vexcept for the: resulting simplification iin theactuating or setting means,. `this sequence .of operation; islimmaterial.

From the foregoing description, it will. be apparent that the presentinvention enables the' construction of, glassv Washers and; the` likelto` be materially simplifiedl through the-elimination ofmagneticvalves..andfelectricaly timing meanssuchv ashavebeenrconsideredessential in thevpast.. Moreover, it will be evident that' the presenttimer isone that is not only simple in. its. structure and reliableinits operation, but it is adapted tobe locateddn a convenientlyaccessible location soi thatr theservicing orf-replacement thereof maybe readily accomplished. Suchservicing and replacement may, of course,be done by an ordinary mechanic so as to make'the upkeep and servicingof the glass washer relatively inexpensive.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodimentofV my invention, it is. to berunderstood that this is capable ofvariation and modification, andi-I .therefore do not wish to belimitedto the precise details set forth,y but desire to avail myself.of. such changes and.y alterations asfall within. the purview of thefollowing claims.

I claim;

1. In an. automatic timer adapted for'controllingassociationwith aspring-closed valve to hold such valve openfor a predetermined period,a'main body adapted to be mountedy on such a valve and having .a movablevalve opening member mounted thereon. for movement etween a releasedposition and a valveopeningV position, latch.y means for holdingsaidvalve opening member inzsaid valve opening position, said body having achamber therein,. an: open top cup-like float mounted in said chamberand operatively related to saidlatch means to release said latch meanswhen said oat is in an upper releasingposition, said chamber having.liquid therein to a leveljefective'normally to raise said oat to suchan upper position, settingv means for pressing said valve opening memberto its'valve opening position and submergingisaid float to a lowerposition wherein the cuplike oat is lilledwithv said liquid, meansyieldingly urging said lloat` to anI intermediate position wherein thelevel-of suchrliquid insaid iloat is higher than the level of such.liquid in: said chamber, said loat having a drain opening` therein ofpredetermined area through which liquid drainsv from said oat at apredetermined rate whereby saidlloat is buoyed upwardly from saidintermediate vposition to said upper releasing position in apredetermined time interval.

2. In' an automatic timer adapted for controllingl associatio'n'. witha; spring-closed valve `to hold such'valve open for a: predeterminedperiod, a main body adapted to be mounted on. such a valve and havingkamovable valve opening member mounted thereon for movement between. areleased position. and. a .valve-opening position, latch means forholding'said va'l'veiopening'rnember in said valveopening position; saidbody having a chambertherein, an open topcup-'like oat mounted. in saidchamber yand operativelyfassociated with. said'l latch SOI `8 means.-.to:releaser-.said-.latch means -whenxsaid *float isili an upperreleasingposition, saidy chamber having liquidi therein to arlevel.etective normally to raise 'said iloat tosuchman upper. position,setting means for-pressing said: valve openingrnember toits valveopening position and` submerging; said iioat tol a lower positionwherein the cup-like float is iilledwith saidliquid, said float hav--ing a` drain: opening therein of predetermined area throughwhichi liquiddrains `from said oat at a predetermined rate whereby saidioat is buoyedupwardly tor said upper releasingposition. at' a predeterminedl rate.

3. Inz'anA automatic timer adapted `for controlling as sociation `witha.spring-bracedvalve to hold suchtV valve in an actuated position for apredetermined period, a mainbody-adapted: to be mounted on such avalve-and havinga movable valve actuating member. mounted there-1ontforfmovement between a releaseduposition and an: actuated position,latch. means for holding said valve" actuatingV member in said valveactuating position, saidl bodyhaving a chamber therein,l an; open topvcup-like float .mounted insaid chamber. andV operatively associated.with saidwlatchmeans to release said latchvmeans when,` said float is.in anupperfreleasing position, said chamber havingliquid therein to alevel effective normally'to raise: saidfi'loat .tosuch an upperposition, setting means. for pressingisaid valve opening member to itsvalve opening positionz'and. submerging said float to a lower position'.whereinthe. cup-like oat. is lilled with said liquid, saidi float havinga drain opening therein of predetermined areathrough whichliquid drainsfromk said oat at a predetermined rate'whereby said llloat is buoyedupwardly' tof saidSupper releasing position at a predeterminedrate..

4: In anzautomatic timer adapted for controlling as sociation Vwithaspring-closed kvalve to hold such valve open for a `predeterminedperiod, a main body adaptedto. be mounted'on: such. a valve and having amovable valve-opening memberv mounted thereon for movementbetweena'released position and a valve opening position, latchmeans forholding said valve openingmember inl'said valveopening position, saidbody'having a chamber therein, aoat having a relatively'large upperinlet opening andzmounted in said chamber and operatively associatedwith said latchr meansA to release said latch means when; said float isin` an upper releasing position, said. chamber having liquid therein toa level 'effective normally to raise Vsaid float to such an upperposition, setting means for pressing said valve openingmember to itsvalve opening position and shifting said oat to a lower positionfwhereinliquid enters said inletopening tol lill said'oat with said liquid,means yieldingly urging saidv float to an intermediate position whereinthe level oisuch liquidf in said'floa'tf isl higherthanthe level of suchliquid irrsaidichamber, said oat having a drain opening thereinlofpredetermined area through which liquid drains from saidfoat;atuapredetermined rate whereby vsaid oat is buoye'dupwardly from said`intermediate position to said upper releasing position ina predeterminedtime interval.

5J InV an automatic timer adapted for controlling as.- sociationwith aspring-biased valve to hold such valve in anzactuated positionk for apredetermined period, a mainA body' adapted to'be mounted on such avalve-and having4 a movable valve-actuating member mounted thereonformovement between a released position and a valve-actuating position,latch means for holding said valve actuating'memberv in said valveactuating position, said body havingxa chamber therein, a float having arelatively large upper inlet opening and mounted in said chamber andoperatively associated with'said latch means to release said latch meanswhen saidA oat is in' an upper releasingposition, said chamber havingIliquid .therein toa level effective normally to raise saidv iloat tosuch an-.upper.position, setting means for pressing said valveopeningmember :to its valve actuating position and submerging saidiloatfto a lowerfposition wherein liquid enters saidinlet opening tolill said float with said liquid, said oat having a drain openingtherein-of predetermined area through .which liquid drains fromsaidfloat at a predetermined ratewhereby said oat is buoyed upwardly tosaidupper releasing position in a predetermined time interval.

6l' Infan automatic'timeradapted for controlling association withavspring-biasedl device to holdsuch device inanactuated'position for apredeterminedperiod; a main;

body-"ffadapted-tofbe associated with such' a device and L havingazmovable control lmember mounted thereon for movement between areleased position and an actuated position, latch means for holding saidmember in said actuated position, said body having a chamber therein, aoat) having a relatively large upper inlet opening and mounted in saidchamber and operatively associated with said latch means to release saidlatch means when said oat is in an upper releasing position, saidchamber having liquid therein to a level etective normally to raise saidoat to such an upper position, setting means for pressing said controlmember to its actuated position and submerging said float to a lowerposition wherein liquid enters said inlet opening to lill said oat withsaid liquid, a means yieldingly urging said float to an intermediateposition wherein the level of such liquid in said oat is higher than thelevel of such liquid in said chamber, said oat having a drain openingtherein of predetermined area through which liquid drains from saidfloat at a predetermined rate whereby said tloat is buoyed upwardly fromsaid intermediate position to said upper releasing position at apredetermined rate.

In an automatic timer adapted for controlling association with aspring-biased device to hold such device in an actuated position for apredetermined period, a main body adapted to be associated with such adevice and having a movable control member mounted thereon for movementbetween a released position and an actuated position, latch means forholding said member in said actuated position, said body having achamber thereing, a float having a relatively large upper inlet openingand mounted in said chamber and operatively associated with said latchmeans to release said latch means when said oat is in an upper releasingposition, said chamber having liquid therein to a level electivenormally to raise said float to such an upper position, setting meansfor pressing said control member to its actuated position and submergingsaid float to a lower position wherein liquid enters said inlet openingto lill said iioat with said liquid, said float having a drain openingtherein of predetermined area through which liquid drains from saidiioat at a predetermined rate whereby said float is buoyed upwardly tosaid upper releasing position at a predetermined rate.

8. In a timer, a main body having a liquid compartment therein and alsohaving a setting handle mounted thereon for movement from a normalretracted position through a setting stroke, means biasing said handleto said normal retracted position, an operating and control membermounted in said body for movement by said handle, in a setting strokethereof, from a released position to an operated position, latch meansoperable td latch said control member in said operated position, andmeans for releasing said latch comprising a cup-shaped float mounted insaid compartment, liquid in said chamber for buoying said float to anormal elevated position, means associated with said handle for movingsaid float downwardly to a lower set position in said chamber when saidhandle is operated through a setting stroke, said float having anopen-top liquid chamber therein that fills with liquid when said floatis moved to said lower set position, spring means effective when saidhandle returns to said normal position to raise said float to anintermediate position wherein the liquid level in said chamber is higherthan the liquid level in said compartment, said float having a meteringorifice from said chamber through which liquid may ow from said chamberto said compartment, and means operated by said oat when it `reachessaid normal elevated position to release said latch means.

9. In a timer, a main body having a liquid compartment therein and alsohaving a setting handle mounted thereon for movement from a normalposition through a setting stroke, means biasing said handle to saidnormal retracted position, an operating and control member mounted insaid body for movement by said handle, in a setting stroke thereof, froma released position to an operated position, latch means operable tolatch said control member in said operated position, and means forreleasing said latch comprising a float having a chamber therein with arelatively large upper inlet opening and a lower metering orificethrough which liquid may flow, said oat being mounted in saidcompartment, liquid in said chamber for buoying said float to a normalelevated position, means associated with said handle for moving saidfloat downwardly to a lower set position in said chamber when saidhandle is operated through a setting stroke so that said liquid chamberfills with liquid entering said inlet opening, spring means effectivewhen said handle returns to said normal position to raise said float toan intermediate position wherein the liquid level in said chamber ishigher than the liquid level in said compartment, and means operated bysaid oat when it reaches said normal elevated position to release saidlatch means.

10. In a timer, a main body having a liquid compartment therein and alsohaving a setting handle mounted thereon for movement from a normalposition through a setting stroke, means biasing said handle to saidnormal retracted position, an operating and control member mounted insaid body for movement by said handle, in a setting stroke thereof, froma released position to an operated position, latch means operable tolatch said control member in said operated position, and means forreleasing said latch comprising a iioat having a chamber therein with arelatively large upper inlet opening and a lower metering orificethrough which liquid may ow, said float being mounted in saidcompartment, liquid in said chamber for buoying said float to a normalelevated position, means associated with said handle for moving said oatdownwardly to a lower set position in said chamber when said handle isoperated through a setting stroke so that said liquid chamber lls withliquid entering said inlet opening, and means operated by said iioatwhen it reaches said normal elevated position to release said latchmeans.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 513,474 Bate Jan. 30, 1894 1,162,516 Richmond Nov. 30, '419151,943,569 Warner Jan. 16, 1934 1,965,379 Jewell July 3, 1934 2,153,238Cunningham Apr. 4, 1939 2,211,459 Dawson Aug. 13, 1940 2,551,445 LindsayMay l, 1951 2,557,287 Hormann June 19, 1951 2,599,151 Baldwin .Tune 3,1952

